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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Conor Butcher (ranked 230 p4p, 199 weight class) and Potemkin Izmaylov (ranked 33 p4p, 28 weight class). Butcher kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Eaten by Bloodbath. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 173 cm
23
181
12 - 1 - 1 |
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188 cm
23
174
9 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conor Butcher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Potemkin Izmaylov!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butcher dives in and grabs Izmaylov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Izmaylov pushes down on Butcher's head and hops out.
Izmaylov moves out of range of the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by Izmaylov as he connects with a hook.
It looks like Conor Butcher has been cut.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Izmaylov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Butcher tries to clinch up
and Izmaylov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Butcher just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Butcher throws the left hand but Izmaylov avoids the punch easily.
Izmaylov throws out a counter right but Butcher avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
Butcher tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Izmaylov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Butcher tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor Butcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Izmaylov breaks from the clinch.
Izmaylov misses with a body kick.
Butcher on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Izmaylov. Izmaylov obviously looking to wear him down.
Butcher seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Butcher is defended easily by Izmaylov.
Butcher avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Butcher takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Izmaylov with a nice calf kick.
Izmaylov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Butcher is out of range and Izmaylov settles back down.
A swing and a miss from Izmaylov.
Izmaylov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Butcher is out of range.
Butcher clinches up against the cage.
Butcher tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Izmaylov smiles and moves away.
Izmaylov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Butcher is out of range and Izmaylov settles back down.
Butcher takes a swing at Izmaylov's ribcage but misses.
Butcher with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Conor Butcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Butcher manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Izmaylov on his heels. He'll look to pass Izmaylov's guard now, I'm sure.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Butcher throwing strikes but missing.
Izmaylov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Butcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Izmaylov has wrist control.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Izmaylov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Butcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses.
Butcher trying to control but Izmaylov is working from the bottom.
Izmaylov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Butcher throwing strikes from guard but Izmaylov blocks nicely.
Izmaylov trying to keep a closed guard but Butcher is proving a slippery customer.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izmaylov keeping full guard, as Butcher tries to pass.
Butcher throwing strikes from guard but Izmaylov blocks nicely.
Butcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Izmaylov is retaining full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Butcher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Butcher might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Butcher postures up in Izmaylov's guard and throws a big left but Izmaylov blocks it.
Butcher is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Butcher scores with the left hand. Izmaylov knows he should have avoided that one.
Izmaylov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Butcher trying to control but Izmaylov is working from the bottom.
Butcher throwing strikes but missing.
Butcher postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Izmaylov has his hands on Butcher's head, controlling the position.
Butcher throwing strikes but missing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Conor Butcher will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Conor Butcher's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Izmaylov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Butcher changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Jab, jab by Butcher - just one landing.
A shot to the liver by Butcher. Beautiful body shot.
Izmaylov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Izmaylov stalks Butcher and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Butcher's face. Butcher staggers backwards, shaken.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch but Izmaylov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Izmaylov misses.
Good exchange - Izmaylov coming out on top.
Izmaylov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the body from Butcher misses
and Izmaylov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Butcher closes the distance and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butcher lands a hook that snaps the head of Izmaylov backwards.
Butcher is working for takedown but Izmaylov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Izmaylov can't break the clinch.
Izmaylov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Butcher tries a body shot but Izmaylov blocks it.
Izmaylov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Izmaylov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Izmaylov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Butcher misses with a body shot.
Izmaylov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Butcher's head backwards.
Conor Butcher's cut is getting worse.
Izmaylov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Butcher instigates a clinch.
Izmaylov wants to get back to striking at distance but Butcher won't allow it.
Butcher tries to pull guard but Izmaylov holds him up against the cage and eventually Butcher drops back down to his feet.
Izmaylov gets underhooks to prevent Butcher's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor Butcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Izmaylov prevents the takedown attempt.
Butcher lands a hook to the side of the head.
Izmaylov stops a takedown attempt from Butcher.
Izmaylov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Izmaylov as he avoids it easily.
Izmaylov throws out a counter right but Butcher avoids it with no problem.
Butcher is looking to wear down Izmaylov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Butcher tries to clinch up
and Izmaylov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher looks to clinch
and Izmaylov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Izmaylov scores with a body shot.
Izmaylov lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Izmaylov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Butcher closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Butcher on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Izmaylov lands with a nice body punch.
Izmaylov lands with a straight right. Butcher didn't see that one coming.
Conor Butcher's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Izmaylov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Izmaylov scores with a leg kick.
Butcher has Izmaylov up against the cage in a clinch.
Izmaylov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izmaylov is looking to break free of the clinch but Butcher has double underhooks.
Butcher looking for a takedown.
Butcher misses with a punch on the inside.
Butcher is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Izmaylov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Izmaylov is pressed up against the cage. Butcher has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Izmaylov down to the mat. Izmaylov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Butcher takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Good leg kick by Izmaylov.
Butcher takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Izmaylov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A cross from Izmaylov lands.
Izmaylov connects with a leg kick.
Butcher gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Butcher takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Izmaylov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Izmaylov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Butcher looks to score with a jab to the body but Izmaylov is just out of range.
Butcher throws a looping overhand right but Izmaylov ducks down to avoid it.
Butcher shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Izmaylov pinned against the cage. Izmaylov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Izmaylov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Izmaylov lands a leg kick that knocks Butcher off balance momentarily.
Izmaylov digs a good body shot into Butcher's ribs.
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher moves into the clinch.
Izmaylov is trying to break free.
Butcher gets control of Izmaylov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Butcher will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Potemkin Izmaylov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Conor Butcher's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
A slow jab from Butcher misses its intended target.
Butcher gets a takedown into half guard.
Izmaylov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Potemkin Izmaylov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Butcher fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Izmaylov sprawls well initially but Butcher persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Izmaylov trying to control but Butcher postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Izmaylov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Butcher lands a couple of elbows.
Butcher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Butcher is in close to Izmaylov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Butcher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Butcher throwing strikes but missing.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Izmaylov keeps moving.
Izmaylov is trying to control the position but Butcher postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Butcher accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Izmaylov keeping moving, preventing Butcher from controlling successfully.
Butcher cracks Izmaylov with a solid left hand.
Izmaylov trying to control the position.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Izmaylov is trying to control the position but Butcher postures up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Butcher looks to land a right hand but Izmaylov moved out of range.
A little jabbing left from Izmaylov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Butcher's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Izmaylov throws a leg kick that misses.
Izmaylov takes a swing at Butcher's ribcage but misses.
Izmaylov with a nice cross.
Potemkin Izmaylov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Butcher gets a takedown into half guard.
Butcher looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Izmaylov is trying to maintain the position but Butcher is very close to passing his half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Butcher working over Izmaylov with some ground and pound. Izmaylov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Izmaylov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Butcher wants to control but Izmaylov is keeping him busy.
Izmaylov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butcher.
Izmaylov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Butcher is pressing down on Izmaylov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Izmaylov is holding on for now.
Izmaylov wants to get back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Izmaylov is trying to control but can't.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Izmaylov to regain full guard.
Butcher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Butcher lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Butcher looking to pass the guard.
Izmaylov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Conor Butcher overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Butcher forces his way into half guard.
Izmaylov tries to get to full guard but Butcher has control of the leg.
Izmaylov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Butcher scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Conor Butcher clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Conor Butcher's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Izmaylov misses with a straight left.
Jab by Izmaylov.
Butcher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Izmaylov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Butcher.
Butcher shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Izmaylov but Izmaylov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Butcher is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Izmaylov tries to sprawl but Butcher drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Izmaylov pushes Butcher off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Butcher.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Butcher misses.
Butcher misses with an uppercut. Izmaylov saw that one coming.
Izmaylov lands with an overhand left.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Butcher with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Butcher takes the fight into the clinch.
Butcher tries to throw a body punch but Izmaylov avoids it by throwing Butcher back against the cage.
Izmaylov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Izmaylov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Izmaylov breaks the clinch.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch but Izmaylov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Izmaylov jabs Butcher right on the nose. Butcher blinks but takes it well.
Decent striking displayed by Izmaylov there.
Butcher avoids the head kick by Izmaylov.
Izmaylov avoids the body shot from Butcher.
Izmaylov throws a hook but Butcher blocks it.
Butcher changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Izmaylov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Butcher fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor Butcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butcher feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Izmaylov controlling the position.
Butcher postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Butcher throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Butcher wants to control from the top but Izmaylov keeps moving.
Izmaylov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butcher is stalling in the full guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Butcher throwing strikes from guard but Izmaylov blocks nicely.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Butcher.
Butcher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Izmaylov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Butcher shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Izmaylov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Izmaylov pulls Butcher in close to prevent any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Butcher engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Izmaylov keeping moving, preventing Butcher from controlling successfully.
Butcher has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Izmaylov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Butcher trying to control the position from guard on top but Izmaylov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Potemkin Izmaylov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Conor Butcher's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Izmaylov just misses with a punch to the body.
Butcher keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Izmaylov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Butcher.
Butcher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Butcher on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Izmaylov. Izmaylov obviously looking to wear him down.
Izmaylov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Butcher gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Butcher takes the fight into the clinch.
Izmaylov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butcher shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Izmaylov defends it nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Izmaylov lands but Butcher takes it in his stride.
Izmaylov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Butcher will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A decent looking cross lands there for Butcher.
Izmaylov missing with a left hand there. Butcher was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Izmaylov throws a push kick but Butcher slaps the foot to one side.
Izmaylov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Butcher.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor Butcher. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butcher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Izmaylov.
Butcher is looking to clinch.
Butcher swings for the body but Izmaylov moves out of range.
Izmaylov counters with a body kick.
Izmaylov circles away from the clinch attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Izmaylov is trying to defend but Butcher finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Butcher is just content to waste time from the top position. Izmaylov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Izmaylov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Butcher.
Butcher keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Izmaylov's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Butcher throws a big elbow that misses.
Butcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Izmaylov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Butcher is in close to Izmaylov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Butcher stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Izmaylov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Izmaylov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Butcher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Izmaylov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Izmaylov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Butcher with a flurry of punches that miss.
Izmaylov keeping moving, preventing Butcher from controlling successfully.
Izmaylov controls Butcher momentarily but Butcher frees himself.
Butcher with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Izmaylov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Butcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Izmaylov is keeping the position for now.
Butcher throwing strikes from guard but Izmaylov blocks nicely.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jab by Butcher.
Butcher tries to move into range but Izmaylov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Izmaylov connects with a leg kick.
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher feinted with a counter takedown.
Izmaylov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Butcher is defended easily by Izmaylov.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Conor Butcher.
I think Butcher has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:48
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:48
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 46:49
The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Conor Butcher retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
51% |
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